Who can and cannot take lansoprazole

Most adults and children can take lansoprazole.

Lansoprazole is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before taking lansoprazole if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to lansoprazole or any other medicines
• have liver problems
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
• are due to have an endoscopy
• have low levels of vitamin B12

If you've bought lansoprazole without a prescription, speak to your doctor before taking it if you:

• have lost weight without trying to
• keep being sick (vomiting), or are vomiting blood (this may look like dark coffee grounds)
• feel weak or your skin looks paler than usual (this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin)
• have blood in your poo (your poo may look black or like tar)
• have chest pain or stomach pain
• have diarrhoea that is severe or does not go away
• have problems with swallowing

If you're going to have an endoscopy, ask your doctor if you should stop taking lansoprazole a few weeks before your procedure. This is because lansoprazole may hide some of the problems that would usually be found during an endoscopy.